Talking of oil starvation (well HJ was just now), my 1995 993 which the servicing fairies ignored for 6 years (yes, I know ) began sounding a bit 'tinny up top'. I hoped the oil and filter change would have improved things, but sadly it seems not. Anyone know if there's a gauze-covered pick-up pipe in the sump of these or is the oil carried up in some other way? I can't see anything in the 3cyl EFI manual. Or, is there anything else it could be? Doesn't sound like tappet adjustment to me.

Thanks, M8. I wonder how long I'll be safe leaving this 15/40 in as a 'flush' - don't want to drop the sump till it warms up a bit. Any idea if there's a re-useable gasket between sump and block or if I'll need a new one?

Do the valve clearence and remember to do it hot our 993cc sounds tinny when it needs doing I think being a triple it does sound different and while you have the rocker/cam cover off blip the starter but don't let it start, the two bolt holes that the cover is held down with across the top the rear one is the oil way and you should get a slurge of oil out if the top with the bolt out I found this out when being lazy doing the clearences and not turning the crank over by hand.